"A statesman gains little by the arbitrary exercise of ironclad authority upon all occasions that offer, for this wounds the just pride of his subordinates, and thus tends to undermine his strength. A little concession, now and then, where it can do no harm is the wiser policy." - MARK TWAIN

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

...DIVIDED WE FALL

I used to date a guy in H.S. who would correct me when I'd say "I'm mad" by saying "cows get mad, people get angry". He could be a condescending prick, and that's what ultimately divided us.

Just as Bush has done with us. I'm profoundly disappointed that Bush has squandered away the solidarity our nation felt in the days following 9/11. We became a single non-partisan nation, and we all waived our flags in unison. Then came the fateful rhetoric that began the severe division we suffer from today. "You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror." The flag became a token of division as have the support our troop ribbons. Newsflash, it is in fact wholy patriotic to waive the flag and support the troops without supporting the war in Iraq.

Last night in Bush squandered yet another opportunity by stating in his address, "There is only one course of action against them - to defeat them abroad before they attack us at home." Again with the tired rhetoric. I wish he could see his way to unifying our nation. But that hasn't happened because Bush is mad, and that makes me angry.

Can I agree wholeheartedly while disagreeing? I remember thinking that racism was the only race-blind institution in America. Likewise, I keep thinking now that partisanship is the only bipartisan one. I honestly think seeing too much grey is as blind as seeing pure black and white. I think our President is incompetent, out-of-control and arrogant far beyond what his accomplishments would support, but I don't think he can divide us unless we've stopped listening to each other and we have.

I agree with Gabriel, too, that was beautifully written and the last line a gem.

We're really divided into two camps: The one that listens to him without question and the one that listens to him with a grain of salt. Its not a political divide as much as it is a divide between the faithful and the skeptical.

Each camp has its virtues, but when they're played out and polarized like this, you really cause a nasty split.

Personally, I think El Presidente uses the same tactics as McCarthy and Himmel when attempting to rally the faithful, and, maaaaaan, is that ever dangerous.

Has anyone else noticed that El Bush has cited a war on terrorism, a war on WMD's, a need to install democracy, and a need to rebuild as vaild reasons for the Iraq War, in that order? He keeps changing his story once the previous reason gets debunked.

Like him or hate him, how can you trust any human being that gives you a new reason for the same behavior every time you ask for an explanation? How much benefit of the doubt can we be expected to extend? Its insulting, really. He's like, "Here's this week's reason, since last week's no longer applies. Fuck you and let me work over here."

You hit the nail on the head, Love The Exception. Time to pull out the color wheel.

Thanks for the props KB. And you're right about who I was referring to. Now that I think of it, you're right it was a dog. Wait a minute, did your memory just defeat mine?! NFW!

Awesome, another picture from Ev! This one is truly a gem; you all must check it out! And thanks for the reminder about the SW quote, Ev - very applicable!

You raise a good point, Doug. But I think this administration perpetuates division which in turn perpetuates our collective deaf ears. A very vicious cycle.

El Presidente (melikes that) does indeed play with fire, Maine. And you're right about the continued lying while the public stands idly by. I wrote a comment over at Brother Kenya's today about the very same thing (see below).

Thanks, Sar and maine. I certainly agree that the Rove ball-game is divide and conquer. I just think it wouldn't be working so well if we weren't so open to it on both sides of the spectrum. At some level we want to believe that the people against us are stupid or morally corrupt. My following comment for example:

Apparently, Maine, it's only insulting to the intelligence of 49% of the American people.

I agree with your post, except for the part about post-9/11 unity. There was far too much anger built up on the left (from 2000) to keep the bi-partisan flag-waving stuff alive. It was just a matter of time before the Democrats imploded.

You're absolutely right about Bush being so negative last night. I was very disappointed (and I kinda like the guy!) :)

[And please, Gabriel, enough with the tired Bush=stupid stuff. That's soooo 2002, and adds so little to the debate.]

David's absolutely right--there is somebody way up top who wants to keep us divided. That man is none other than the turd himself, Karl Rove.

Look at his poltical strategy: divide and polarize. And they win (or, hopefully soon, won) with it in three election cycles. Heck, its 4 if you count the 2000 GOP primary where Rove tore into McCain with terrible rumors.

And last night's 30-minute speech was horrific. I was so glad I was eating a Monte Cristo at Bennigan's instead of watching it.

Don't give up yet Ev. 2006 is just around the corner and hopefully the elections will bode well and make life a little more bearable until 2008. BTW, methinks you have plenty of piss & vinegar!

You're right, Doug. There has been a lot of finger pointing at each other when we all should be point in unison at the corrupt politicians.

David - what a scary thought, though I fear you're on to something there, just as Chris pointed out (CW - I haven't been to Bennigan's in ages, hope it was yummy!).

Respectfully, I have to disagree with you TLM. I'm one of many dems who was willing to compartmentalize my disdain for Bush's election theft for the sake of moving forward in a united front against terrorism. Bush did himself in. For me it started when he decided to make a photo op out of his teleconference with Rudy Guliani. He looked so goofy standing behind his desk looking up like now? now? now? okay, now we'll begin. And we all know about the photo ops that would follow. It's not about photo ops, it's about getting the job done and putting the glitz and glamor second to that. Goodness, there are so many more examples of how he just continued down the wrong path in my eyes, but I am trying to be respectful of your views here.

Comadose - we'll keep on fighting the good fight together!

Gabe - I had sent Kid Bastard an email a long time ago with directions for a Bush speech drinking game. We all chose not to participate in favor of retaining our livers because it would have entailed an insane amount of drinking just as you suggest. I'll try to find it (KB - do you still have it?).

Bennigan's was indeed delicious, but I think they're trying too hard to impress people nowadays. They've got a new menu with a "new mood" that's just basically for all these health conscious or yuppies who want to eat at Benningan's and think they're really classy or something.

Sorry, but the idea of a Monte Cristo panini just isn't that appealing to me (especially when its less food but higher cost). Stick to the unhealthy, Irish-ish foods and you'll be fine.

CW, TLM & Nedhead - I have never considered a Monte Cristo to be a health-conscious meal. Nor have I gone to Bennigan's for such a meal. It's like the fast food fad of offering salads, fruit, and yogurt. Yes, people are going there primarily for the convenience, but let's face it, they're also going to get their greasy fry fix and frankly a salad just ain't gonna to cut it.

the only reason this country is divided is because of the liberal media, that make up shit as the day goes. Anything Bush does the liberals are against it even if it's good. They have no agenda towards the present and/or future.

what exactly is the liberal agenda?jerk-off while the economy grows,jobs are being created and Iraq is heading to be a good democratic country. If that ididot John Kerry was in office, the US would have pulled out our troops, Iraq would be in civil war and we would get attacked again.

Ruskie - I'm not going to defend the Liberal agenda because I frankly haven't been all that impressed by it. Nor will I defend Kerry because even if he had been elected his legacy would have been essentially janitorial - cleaning up Bush's mess.

But that does not excuse the corruption and deceipt of this administration which has resulted in so much pain, suffering, and death. And speaking of agendas, I have yet to hear the Administration's exit strategy for Iraq. Instead they talk in circles and fumble all over themselves...the war is over, then it's not. It'll be quick, then it'll be decades. This administration you defend needs to get their heads out of their asses and their hands out of their lined pockets and put the corruption and divisional instigation aside in favor of much needed leadership.

there is no exit strategy for Iraq, no matter who the president is or will be. If there was an exit strategy before our commitment to get Iraq on track, i would be very dissapponted.Corruption is in every administration present or past.Whitewater-Clinton scandal ex.It's the American way. All politicians are crooked piece of shit bastards and that includes some politicians I like. John McCain, Rudy and even Joe Lieberman.You just might not know it yet.

Araider - I will agree with you that politicians are corrupt (does that qualify me for at least a freebie shot?). But, while I don't condone Clinton's getting some on the sly while he was supposed have been working on the American people's dime (though he is married to Hillary, so should we cut him some slack?), I have to agree with the cliche-esq addage: "when Clinton lied, no one died".

And you're right Strider, Rudy's as corrupt as they come. Oh, and thanks for the props, bro!

exactly, he is married to that bitch Hillary. What the hell has she done for the good of America. She got a senate seat in New York and she didn't live there. I don't have too much hate for Hillary, but damn she reminds me of my high school science teacher and I hated her with the utmost passion.